System and Method of Analyzing Insurance Claims for Electronic Devices

Abstract

A method of remotely performing a functional diagnostic and a cosmetic evaluation of a used electronic device, using an app installed on the device itself, and of using the evaluation data to determine a resale value for the device.

1 . A method of evaluating an insurance claim for a used electronic device, comprising:
 installing an application on the used electronic device;   using the application to determine identifying information for the used electronic device, said identifying information comprising at least one of the device ID number, manufacturer, and model;   using the application to perform a functional test on the used electronic device;   transmitting data regarding the condition of the used electronic device to an online server, said online server comprising a database comprising information regarding at least one customer's insurance policy and the type of damage covered by the insurance policy;   using the online server to look up an insurance policy associated with the used electronic device;   using the online server to determine types of damage covered by the insurance policy;   comparing the types of damage covered by the insurance policy with the data regarding the condition of the used electronic device;   if the data regarding the condition of the used electronic device comprises at least one type of damage not covered by the insurance policy, denying an insurance claim for the used electronic device;   if the data regarding the condition of the used electronic device comprises only damage that is covered by the insurance policy, allowing an insurance claim for the used electronic device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 prior to the transmitting step, using the application to perform a cosmetic evaluation on the used electronic device.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , where using the application to perform a functional test on the used electronic device comprises at least one of the following group of steps:
 testing the battery;   testing the touchscreen;   testing the buttons;   testing the telephony functions;   testing the wi-fi connection;   testing the Bluetooth connection;   testing each camera;   testing the speaker;   testing the SMS function;   testing the MMS function;   testing the video recording and playback function;   testing the microphone.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , where using the application to perform a cosmetic evaluation of the used electronic device comprises:
 instructing a user to hold the used electronic device in front of a mirror;   using at least one camera of the used electronic device to take a photo of the used electronic device;   analyzing the photo to determine the cosmetic condition of the used electronic device.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 instructing a user to hold the used electronic device in front of a mirror in such a way that a second camera of the used electronic device is facing the mirror;   using the second camera to take a second photo of the used electronic device;   analyzing the second photo to determine the cosmetic condition of the used electronic device.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 instructing a user to hold a second mirror and the used electronic device in front of a mirror in such a way that at least one of the left side, right side, top side, or bottom side of the device is visible in the mirror;   using a camera to take a third photo of the used electronic device, said third photo showing at least one of the left side, right side, top side, or bottom side of the used electronic device;   analyzing the third photo to determine the cosmetic condition of the used electronic device.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , where the instructing step includes informing the user of the proper distance between the used electronic device and the mirror. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4 , where the instructing step includes displaying a rectangular frame on the device screen for alignment of the photo. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , where the photo is taken automatically when the user holds the used electronic device at the proper distance from and in the proper orientation to the mirror. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 4 , where information regarding the device is steganographically encoded in at least one photo, said information comprising at least one of the device ID, date, time, manufacturer, model, user name, functional test results, cosmetic evaluation result, pricing information. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , where the information is encrypted. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the cosmetic test and the functional test comprises:
 testing for intentional damage to the electronic device.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the cosmetic test and the functional test comprises:
 testing for water damage to the electronic device.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 generating a claim application form for the electronic device.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 erasing all the data on the electronic device;   providing an erasure certificate to an owner of the electronic device.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 providing at least one collection location for dropping off the device to an owner of the electronic device.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 delivering the device to a processing facility.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 determining whether or not theft-detection software is turned on;   if theft-detection software is turned on, instructing a user to turn it off;   if the user cannot turn it off, rejecting the electronic device.